TO combat loneliness and isolation, whilst providing a safe space for those who cannot afford to use electricity, Colchester City Council has set up a number of warm spaces around the city.

Warm spaces are heated facilities or venues, often with other amenities such a tea and coffee, which the public can access at no cost. Here is a list of the sites available in Colchester.

The Colchester Sports Park, Co4 5YX, provides a warm space with access to Wi-Fi, seating and tables.

The Jobserve Community Stadium will operate as a warm hub, providing free WiFi, hot drinks and biscuits.

The Highwoods Methodist Church, on Gavin Way, will provide an hour of free movement and exercise, followed by half an hour of refreshments and social time.

The Church will also provide a warm space with free tea, coffee and biscuits on Monday mornings from 9am-1pm.

A Changing Live with Coffee and Chat session at Colne Bank Avenue, CO1 1UU, will provide visitors with free tea or coffee and a breakfast snack, running from 10am, until 12pm on Mondays and Wednesday.

Age Well East, on North Hill, will be providing bingo and hot drinks on Tuesdays, between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

The Quaker Meeting House, on Church Street, will provide soup, hot drinks and cakes from 10am till 3pm on Saturday March 18 and 25.

Metro Bank on Colchester High Street is providing Wi-Fi, toilet facilities and tea or coffee seven days a week, in line with their opening hours.

Colchester Library offers visitors Wi-Fi, computers, study space, changing facilities, bathroom facilities and baby changing facilities, and is open seven days a week.

At Firstsite, visitors can enjoy warm seating areas, self led art activities, exhibitions and free Wi-Fi.

The Wimpole Road Methodist Church offers hot and cold drinks, snacks and toast during the morning, as well as and soup and beans on toast in the late morning. There is also access to a small community larder.

The Divine Assembly Ministries, CO3 8JD, offers free cooking advice, benefit and job search support and signposting, as well as essential items and food support on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

St Andrew’s Church offers jacket potatoes on Mondays and tea and coffees on Wednesdays, as well as friendly chats and foodbank advice.

The Greenstead Library offers a warms space with Wi-Fi, computers and books.

The Stanway Parish Council, CO3 ORH, offers a warm space with free refreshments every Monday between 1pm, to 5pm.

The Kingsland Church offers a warm café area for chatting, with light lunches, cake and hot drinks available every day of the week.

The Prettygate Library provides a warm space with a library, Wi-Fi and computers.

The Warm and Toasty Shrub End Club will provide visitors with uplifting social events for people aged over 50, including warm refreshments, entry cost is £1.

The Army Welfare Service, CO2 9LL, offers residents free coffee between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Mondays.

St Margaret’s in Berechurch, CO2 8RA, offers free hot drinks, a foodbank and citizen’s advice on Fridays between 11am and 1pm.

The Orchard Baptist Church, CO2 0AE, offers a light lunch and social activities on Tuesdays between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

Cherry Trees Community Hall provides facilities to make a cup of tea and coffee, Wi-Fi, and TV, on Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm.

Abberton and Langenhoe Community Association provides tea and coffee facilities and a space to sit on Wednesdays between 10am and noon.

Stuart Pawsey Court, CO7 9LP provides warm spaces, Wi-Fi, and TV between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Tuesdays.